Sub-$350 Laptop for Business Purposes

Adz81 on 09/07/2017 - 12:46
Last edited 09/07/2017 - 12:47

Looking for the OZB Community's expertise here… I'm in the process of launching a new business, nothing huge, only a day or two a fortnight. Income won't be much more than $400/month for the first few months, so I'm not looking to spend a huge amount, but looking at a laptop for taking care of the accounts side (cloud based), orders, emails and some presentations (although in many aspects a tablet would be better for this), and running Office (or equivalent) programs. The ability to use Sketchup would be a welcome bonus.

I've had a look at a few online, but am still a little lost in the wilderness… Initially, I thought I'd give the refurbed Lenovo a shot- having used them before, I found them quite durable and utilitarian.

http://www.recompute.com.au/lenovo-thinkpad-11e-11-6-core-m-…

Although the Kogan Atlas would eliminate the need to purchase a tablet as well (albeit at the sacrifice of specs)

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-atlas-2-1-pro-touchscreen…

Or there's the Asus:
https://www.jw.com.au/asus-e402sa-wx016t-14-laptop?gclid=CMq…

Otherwise, would any of these be an option?

http://www.graysonline.com/computers-and-electronics/compute…

Any advice is welcome, thanks so much.

Poll Options expired

  • 11
    Lenovo Thinkpad
  • 2
    Kogan Atlas
  • 1
    Asus
  • 0
    One from Graysonline (please specify in comments)
Computing

Comments

  • Bonsaichop on 09/07/2017 - 12:55

    How about a used laptop? We've been running our business for almost 10 years, never bought a new computer, our "newest" computer is from 2012. Business does great, don't think i'd be making any more $$ with a new one..

    • gimli on 09/07/2017 - 13:20

      OP has posted refurbished ones

  • KitchenSink on 09/07/2017 - 13:07
    +2

    Have a look at Australian Computer traders for a refurbished one. Still way better in terms of specs.
    http://ssbb102.australiancomputertraders.com.au/Refurbished-…

    or their ebay store and use C5OZ coupon for a little extra savings

    There's a HP dual core i7 with 256 SSD for $389 for example.

    I'm not affiliated with them, but I bought a refurb business desktop for a media centre and it was a bargain.

    • Wystri Warrick on 09/07/2017 - 14:04
      +2

      That HP one looks good. IMO it's the best one here.

      • teacherer on 09/07/2017 - 17:31

        That CPU though? I'm looking to purchase also. Would lack of hdmi be an issue or for displayport can you can an adapter? :)

        • KitchenSink on 09/07/2017 - 18:34

          Most CPUs in ultrabooks are dual core even now with kaby lake. This one was one of the few from that seller that was an ivy bridge CPU/chipset (iX-3xxx series) which meant that it natively supports USB 3.0 as well. Some older laptops with sandy bridge CPUs/chipsets do support USB 3.0 but needed an extra chip on the MB and would normally only support 1 port. You would have to check thoroughly whether the laptop supported it or not.

          Also, the added SSD (which normally go for $115-140 brand new, depending on brand) is already roughly half the price of the laptop. The SSD makes the biggest difference IMO. Other laptops in the same price range all had mechanical ones. Also 8GB RAM.

          Screen is abysmal but what can you expect for that price?

    • cryinoutloud on 09/07/2017 - 18:27
      +1

      Bought one. Thanks for the voucher code.

  • mbck on 09/07/2017 - 14:23

    Definitely the Lenovo. Minimum 4gb ram

  • Randxyz123 on 09/07/2017 - 15:46
    +2

    Lenovo from that list. Upgrade the RAM to 8GB

  • doweyy on 09/07/2017 - 17:33

    This Dell Inspiron has been really popular, it's $331.55 using C5OZ @ Microsoft eBay. Think it's a good option for you.

  • Randxyz123 on 09/07/2017 - 17:35

    Really? Negged for suggesting upgrading the RAM to 8GB? 8GB is the standard now days and I wouldn't buy a laptop without it having the ability to take 8GB. You can probably upgrade it for less than $50

    I'd also say buy from grays online as I've never heard of those sites. They may well be fine but I know grays online is reputable.

    • Adz81 on 09/07/2017 - 17:42

      Yeah, the neg bit surprised me too… Set it right…

  • Albie764 on 10/07/2017 - 07:36

    Lenovo i5 series goes for around $300 great laptop.

  • Adz81 on 11/07/2017 - 17:40

    Grabbed the Lenovo from Recompute, will upgrade the ram when it arrives, thanks for the suggestions everyone, appreciated.

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